Town leaning toward OK for ATVs on streets

Coulee Dam seemed likely to follow a path already pursued by Electric City and Grand Coulee last week, when the town council heard nothing but favorable remarks during a public hearing on allowing people to drive four-wheelers on city streets.

About a dozen people attended the hearing Wednesday night, not all of them from Coulee Dam.

"It's a cheap way to get around," commented a man named Wes, who Councilmember Keith St. Jeor said was from Wenatchee. "It's a boon to the city."

Coulee Dam is considering an ordinance that is basically the same as those passed in Electric City and Grand Coulee. Elmer City has not adopted such an ordinance. The state has adopted such regulations already, so it's legal to drive licensed and properly equipped all-terrain and utility vehicles on state highways up to 35 mph. That makes it legal to ride them through Coulee Dam, but not currently on city streets.

St. Jeor said the Bureau of Reclamation has already been driving its electric vehicles on a short path through city streets between the gate to the Third Powerhouse area and a couple blocks to SR-155.

Stan St. Jeor said he was in favor of it as long as it follows state law. He said 597 miles of roads in Okanogan County are open to ATVs.

City Attorney Mick Howe, who also represents Omak, said the Colville Tribe had banned the vehicles, but compromised with Omak to allow ATV riders to access their new casino.

The council will take the matter up again at the next meeting and possibly pass it if the tribe has no objection.